Standing in the middle of a media scrum after Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a noticeably aggrieved Patrick Lefevere, manager of Etixx-Quick Step, complained that the day’s winner, Ian Stannard (Sky), had sat in the race’s “box seat” for over 30km – the implication being that Stannard only enjoyed the show, and hadn’t played a starring role. Lefevere’s lament doesn’t do justice to the Essex boy’s shrewd racing and raw power – nor does it acknowledge that even if Stannard had the box seat, it was Lefevere’s riders who booked his tickets, showed him to that seat, and all but paid his bar tab, too.

To mark the opening weekend of cobbled drama on the Continent, Rapha are offering the chance to win a signed Team Sky Replica Jersey. To win, simply predict the winning time at Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. We will be rooting for Team Sky, who will be fielding some strong contenders, including last year’s victor, Ian Stannard, who covered the 198km in 4hrs 49mins 54secs. Also in the mix on this year’s 200.2km course are Sir Bradley Wiggins and strongman Bernie Eisel. Five randomly chosen runners-up will also receive a Rapha Cap in the colour of their choice.

As the European racing season sets off, Team Sky are proving how well off-season training went. Geraint Thomas won in Portugal – at the Volta ao Algarve – holding onto a lead established with an outstanding solo attack on stage two, finishing just three seconds behind Tony Martin in the time trial and carefully seeing out the remaining stages.

Meanwhile, over the border, Christopher Froome was found to be in fine form at the Ruta del Sol. Stage four of the race in Andalusia saw Froome drop his rival – Alberto Contador – on the 20%-slopes of the day’s final climb.

The fifth year of the Festive 500 saw more riders than ever rising to the challenge of riding 500km on the eight days between 24-31 December. Over 8,000 cyclists successfully completed the challenge and claimed their roundels – proof that cycling achievement lies more in the legs than in the pudding. Many pushed their own limits to ride further than they’d ridden before in an eight day period, while others simply took the opportunity of some time away from work to end the year on a cycling high.

Sebastian Tarek crafts bespoke shoes that are genuine works of functional art. His workshop and approach to his trade offer a distinct nod towards a bygone era, but prove that time is a precious commodity. We visited his place of work in Arnold Circus, east London.

Mark Twight made his name as a daring and pioneering climber in the 1980s and ‘90s. Part of a new wave of mountaineers who relied on physical fitness and minimal equipment to climb quickly and efficiently, he was part of a movement known as ‘extreme alpinism’.

Rob Saunders was born and raised in London. A road rider living in the heart of the city who worked for the best part of a decade to bring the Olympic Games to town. Here he writes about his love for a city that bleeds with diversity, history and creativity.